Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P468 returned 31 results.
IF YOU PLAY WITH FIRE, YOU WILL WET YOUR PANTS.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
IF, DURING MASS A CANDLE GOES OUT, SOMEONE YOU KNOW
WILL DUE DURING THE WEEK.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
THEY SAY IF YOU THROW BLESSED SALT ON A FIRE, IT WILL NOT SPREAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 11-00-1972
LEGEND
THE MESA VERDE INDIANS WHO LIKE (LIVE IN?) THE AREA KNOWN
TODAY AS MESA VERDE
NATIONAL PARK, BELIEVED IN THE RITUAL OF THE SIPAPU--A SMALL HOLE
IN THE EARTH. CREATION ITSELF BEGAN FROM THIS SMALL HOLE WHERE
MAN PASSED FROM A NONDISTINCT FORM INTO THE SHAPE OF A HUMAN
AS HE EMERGED FROM THE SIPAPU. THE INDIANS WOULD CARRY OUT A RITUAL
THE MAIN EPISODE BEING THROWING SOME SORT OF INCENSE INTO THE
CREVICE, AND BURNING IT. THIS WOULD CHASE AWAY EVIL SPIRITS COMING
TO EARTH. THE STORY OR BELIEF IS REPEATED TODAY BY MANY INDIANS
OF THE AREA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FIRE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Human Life BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE DEAD RETURN
YEARS AGO OUTSIDE OF MONROE THERE WAS A GUY KILLE.D ON A MOTORCYCLE
TO THIS DAY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT YOU CAN
SOMETIMES SEE A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT THAT MOVES IN THE DISTANCE. THE
LIGHT IS DEEP IN THE WOODS AND ALNG WITH IT IS THE SOUND OF A
RUNNING MOTORCYCLE. IT HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED AND CANNOT BE
EXPLAINED.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS ; MYSTERIOUS SOUND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
EXPLANATION OF WHY SMOKE FROM A FIRE OR ANY SOURCE WILL FOLLOW
SOMEONE NO MATTER WHERE THEY MOVE TO. THE EXPLANATION BEING
THAT SMOKE FOLLOWS AN UGLY PERSON.
EXPLANATION OF WHY SMOKE FROM A FIRE OF ANY SOURCE WILL FOLLOW
SOMEONE NO MATTER WHERE THEY MOVE TO. 'BEAUTY DRAWS SMOKE.'
Submitter comment:
THERE IS NO INFORMANT CARD FOR THIS INFORMANT.
BUT I THINK THIS IS AN EXCELLENT CONTRAST BETWEEN THIS ITEM
AND ANOTHER ONE I AM SUBMITTING BECAUSE THEY ARE EXACT OPPOSITES
SEE MARSHAL, MABLE FOR THE OTHER ONE.
Where learned: GEORGIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER SUNDAY, POLISH VILLAGERS WOULD SPRINKLE EVERY ROOM IN THEIR
HOUSE WITH HOLY WATER--INCLUDING THE STABLE AND BARN--AS PROTECTION
FROM FIRE, LIGHTENING, OR OTHER MISFORTUNE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT STILL PRACTICES THIS CUSTOM IN HER HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
FIRE PREVENTION- ALLGAU, BAVARIA, GERMANY
IN ORDER TO PREVENT HOUSE FIRES, ALWAYS KEEP A PICTURE
OF ST. FLORIAN IN THE HOME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): Bavaria ; FIRE ; GERMAN ; Germany ; Patron ; Picture ; PRAYER ; PREVENTION ; Saint ; Saint Florian
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
THE DEAD RETURN
YEARS AGO OUTSIDE OF MONROE THERE WAS A GUY KILLED ON A MOTORCYCLE. TO THIS DAY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT YOU CAN SOMETIMES SEE A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT THAT MOVES IN THE DISTANCE. THE LIGHT IS DEEP IN THE WOODS AND ALONG WITH IT IS THE SOUND OF A RUNNING MOTORCYCLE. IT HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED AND CAN'T BE EXPLAINED.
Data entry tech comment:
MONROE IS IN SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; MONROE ; North Quad 408
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS ; MYSTERIOUS SOUND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
Smoke follows an ugly person.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S EXPLANATION OF WHY SMOKE FROM A FIRE OR ANY SOURCE WILL FOLLOW SOMEONE NO MATTER WHERE THEY MOVE TO.
THERE IS NO INFORMANT CARD FOR THIS INFORMANT, BUT I THINK THIS IS AN EXCELLENT CONTRAST BETWEEN THIS ITEM AND ANOTHER ONE I'M SUBMITTING BECAUSE THEY'RE EXACT OPPOSITES. SEE MARSHAL, MABLE FOR THE OTHER ONE.
Data entry tech comment:
Collector notes that informant is an elderly African American woman from Georgia who learned this around 1920 or earlier.
Where learned: GEORGIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 00001920S OR EARLIER
FLORIDA SUPERSTITION
"!OU SHOULD NEVER USE THE LAST MATCH IN A BOX, OR YOUR HOUSE
WILL CATCH FIRE"
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
FLYING SAUCER BELIEF
"DRIVE DOWN ROUTE 20 NORTHWEST OF FREMONT, OHIO FOR ABOUT EIGHT
MILES UNTIL YOU COME TO COUNTY ROAD 19. PROCEED FIVE MILES ON
THIS ROAD UNTIL YOU CROSS A TWO LANE BRIDGE. GO A QUARTER MILE
BEYOND THE BRIDGE AND TURN RIGHT INTO A
FARMER'S FIELD.
IN THE FIELD FACING EAST, DRIVE IN A 360 DEGREE CIRCLE,
THERE IS A CREEK WITH A BRIDGE OVER IT. CROSS THE CREEK AND END UP
PARK, TURN OFF THE MOTOR AND TURN OFF EVERYTHING. BLINK THE LIGHTS
ON AND OFF THREE TIMES. A LIGHT APPEARS FROM THE EAST AND FLIES
DIRECTLY AT YOU AND THEN OVER YOU AND HEADS TOWARDS THE WEST. THIS
LIGHT IS IN THE FORM OF A BALL AND NEVER FAILS TO APPEAR AS LONG AS
THE LIGHTS ARE BLINKED ON AND OFF THREE TIMES."
THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY MANY OF THE CONTRIBUTOR'S FRIENDS BUT THE
CONTRIBUTOR HAS NEVER SEEN IT AND ADMITS HE HASN'T
"... THE GUTS TO GO OUT
AND SEE IT." HE DOES, HOWEVER, SERIOUSLY BELIEVE IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS SUPERNATURAL LIGHT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
"LUKE THE SPOOK"
THE STORY GOES THAT THERE IS A MENTAL INSTITUTION AROUND THE
GENERAL VICINITY OF 37 MILE ROAD AND ROMEO PLANK ROAD. IN
THE OLD DAYS, BACK IN THE EARLY 1900'S, COACHES USED TO PASS
BY, AND THEY ALWAYS HAD A LAMP SWINGING FROM THE BACK OF THE
CARRIAGE. ONE NIGHT A MAN ESCAPED FROM THE INSTITUTION. AS HE FLED,
A COACH CAME BY, KNOCKED HIM DOWN, AND AS IT ROLLED OVER HIM, THE
HORSES' HOOVES CUT OFF HIS HEAD, WHICH ROLLED UNDER A BRIDGE. HIS
BODY WAS NEVER FOUND. THE WEIRD PART IS IF YOU PARK BY THIS BRIDGE
(YOU WILL SEE A STRANGE)
LIGHT MOVING TOWARDS YOU. YOU'LL TRY TO START YOUR CAR, BUT IT
WON'T START, BUT YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL GO LIKE CRAZY.
AT THE LAST MINUTE THE CAR WILL START, AND THE LIGHT WILL
FOLLOW YOU AS YOU GO.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT NOT ONLY HEARD OF THIS STORY, BUT ACTUALLY VISITED
THIS SPOT AND SHE CLAIMS THAT THE STORY OF THE LIGHT IS REALLY
TRUE, IT HAPPENED TO HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 05-14-1965
SPIRIT OF THE WHEAT
NEAR HEMLOCK, MICHIGAN THEY TELL THE STORY ABOUT THE "SPIRIT OF THE
WHEAT". THEY GROW A LOT OF WHEAT AROUND THERE. EVERY SUMMER AT
HARVEST TIME, THE FARMERS WOULD GO OUT INTO THE WHEAT FIELDS AND SEE
WHAT THEY CALLED SPIRITS COMING OUT OF THE WHEAT FIELDS, IF THEY SAW
THE SPIRIT, THEY KNEW IT WAS TIME FOR THE HARVEST. IT TURNS OUT
THAT THERE ARE LARGE DEPOSITS OF NATURAL GAS IN THAT AREA AND ALL
THE FARMERS WERE REALLY SEEING WAS THE GAS SEEPING OUT OF THE GROUND
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S UNCLE TOLD HIM THIS STORY. THE UNCLE, ALEC
MANZONNI, IS A RESIDENT OF HEMLOCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 02-28-1965
A DOG HOWLING WITH HIS HEAD DOWN INDICATES
DEATH, A DOG HOWLING WITH HIS HEAD UP INDICATES FIRE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
IF THE SMOKE FROM A FIRE STAYS NEAR THE GROUND IT WILL RAIN. IF IT
GOES UP IT WILL BE FAIR WEATHER.
Submitter comment: SIGN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Ortonville
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 10-00-1987 ; 00001930S CA.
Chinese custom
When a family member dies, that same night two white candles
are to be lit and placed outside the front door to signal to
the deceased where to come home to.
Where learned: CHINA
Keyword(s): Deceased
Date learned: 00-00-1955
If you play with fire, you will wet the bed.
Submitter comment:
My parents stressed this to us when we were young.
I believed it then, but now I believe it was merely
told to us to deter us from playing with fire.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Observation Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance Verse BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001970S
A pregnant woman should never look at a fire
burning.
Where learned: KANSAS ; Manhattan
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001940S
Mt. Lemon in Tucson, Arizona is said to have the Red God of
Fire. This is a creature which walks the mountain whenever
heat lightning strikes the mountain in the form of red
lightning.
Submitter comment:
A silly myth, of course everybody knows that light cannot
walk. The short story was still imaginative and somewhat
interesting.
Where learned: Arizona ; Tucson
Keyword(s): Tall, Weather
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- P428 BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Formation |
Date learned: 00-00-1991